Gaming machine and controlling method thereof

ABSTRACT

In a gaming machine and a method of controlling the gaming machine, one dealer card having a number on its face and a plurality of player cards each having any one of a positive number and a negative number on its face are displayed face down on a liquid crystal display. After the dealer card is turned over to show the face, the plurality of player cards are turned over to show the faces sequentially one by one. If a sum of the numbers shown on the displayed player cards agrees with the number shown on the dealer card, an award is provided. In this event, each of the player cards may have either a positive number or a negative number on its face.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 61/012,528 filed on Dec. 10, 2007, and which isincorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming machine for playing a game anda controlling method thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

A gaming machine which executes a card game disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,947,821 has been known as a related gaming machine. U.S. Pat. No.5,947,821 discloses the following game. Firstly, as a primary game, fivecards are dealt to a player. Then, the player holds some of the dealtfive cards and replaces the other cards with different cards.Thereafter, if the player obtains a winning combination, an award isprovided to the player.

If the award is provided, the player can select whether or not toexecute a double-up game as a secondary game. If the player decides notto execute the double-up game, medals or credits corresponding to theaward provided in the primary game are paid out. On the other hand, ifthe player decides to execute the double-up game, he/she determineswhether the number shown on the front face of the card displayed facedown is greater or smaller than a number shown on the front face of thecard displayed face up. If his/her determination is right, the awardprovided in the primary game is doubled. If his/her determination iswrong, the award provided in the primary game is confiscated.

Therefore, the execution of the secondary game provides the player witha chance of winning more awards. However, at the same time, the playermay lose the award won in the primary game by playing the secondarygame.

As described above, the related gaming machine only increases or reducesawards by allowing a player to determine whether the number of the cardthe player has is greater or smaller than that of the predeterminedcard. Thus, there has been desired a gaming machine having gameproperties with new entertainment properties to implement elaborateeffects unlike the card game as described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention is a gaming machine comprising:a display adapted to display a plurality of cards; and a controllerconfigured to (a) display, on the display, one dealer card having anumber, (b) display a plurality of player cards face down on thedisplay, each of the player cards having any one of a positive numberand a negative number, (c) display each of the face-down player cardsface up on the display, and (d) generate an award corresponding to thenumber of the dealer card upon agreement between a sum of the numbers ofthe plurality of player cards and the number of the dealer card.

A second aspect of the present invention is a gaming machine comprising:a display adapted to display a plurality of cards; and a controllerconfigured to (a) display, on the display, one dealer card having anumber when an award is provided in a primary game, (b) display aplurality of player cards face down on the display, each of the playercards having any one of a positive number and a negative number, (c)display each of the face-down player cards face up on the display, and(d) generate an award corresponding to the number of the dealer cardupon agreement between a sum of the numbers of the plurality of playercards and the number of the dealer card.

A third aspect of the present invention is a gaming machine comprising:a display adapted to display a plurality of cards; an input deviceconfigured to receive an input from a player; and a controllerconfigured to (a) display, on the display, one dealer card having anumber, (b) display three or more player cards face down on the display,each of the player cards having any one of a positive number and anegative number, (c) display two or more player cards face up on thedisplay, the two or more player cards being selected by the input fromthe three or more player cards displayed face down, and (d) generate anaward corresponding to the number of the dealer card upon agreementbetween a sum of the numbers of the face-up player cards and the numberof the dealer card.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is a gaming machine comprising:a display adapted to display a plurality of cards; and a controllerconfigured to (a) display, on the display, one dealer card having anumber when a sub-game is selected during an execution of a main game,(b) display a plurality of player cards face down on the display, eachof the player cards having a number, (c) display each of the face-downplayer cards face up on the display, and (d) generate an awardcorresponding to the number of the dealer card upon agreement between asum of the numbers of the plurality of player cards and the number ofthe dealer card.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is a method of controlling agaming machine, comprising: displaying, by the controller, one dealercard having a number, on the display; displaying, by the controller, aplurality of player cards face down on the display, each of the playercards having any one of a positive number and a negative number;displaying, by the controller, each of the face-down player cards faceup on the display one by one; and generating, by the controller, anaward corresponding to the number of the dealer card upon agreementbetween a sum of the numbers of the plurality of player cards and thenumber of the dealer card.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a sub-game executionprocess executed by a gaming machine according to a first embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view of the gaming machine according to the firstto fifth embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a controller in thegaming machine according to the first to fifth embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by thegaming machine according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a main game executionprocess executed by the gaming machine according to the first embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by thegaming machine according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a face display process executed by thegaming machine according to the second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a face display process executed by thegaming machine according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by thegaming machine according to the fourth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a face display process executed by thegaming machine according to the fourth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed by thegaming machine according to the fifth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 shows a display example in the gaming machine according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 13( a) and 13(b) show display examples in the gaming machineaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 14( a) and 14(b) show display examples in the gaming machineaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 15( a) and 15(b) show display examples in the gaming machineaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 16( a) to 16(f) show display examples in the gaming machineaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 17( a) to 17(f) show display examples in the gaming machineaccording to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 18( a) to 18(f) show display examples in the gaming machineaccording to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart schematically showing a procedure of a sub-gameexecution process executed by a gaming machine according to the presentinvention. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a controller in thegaming machine. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, an outline of thepresent invention will be described below.

First, a controller 40 shown in FIG. 3 displays a first dealer card in asub-game executed at the same time as a main game (Step S151 in FIG. 1).

Next, the controller 40 turns over a first player card to show the faceout of two face-down player cards (Step S152; see FIG. 13( b)).Moreover, the controller 40 turns over a face-down second player card todisplay the face (Step S153; see FIG. 14( a)).

Thereafter, the controller 40 adds a number shown on the first playercard and a number shown on the second player card, and determineswhether or not the sum (total) of the numbers agrees with a number shownon the first dealer card (Step S154).

If it is determined that the sum of the numbers shown on the first andsecond player cards agrees with the number shown on the first dealercard, the controller 40 provides an award (Step S155).

In this way, the following card game is executed as the sub-gameexecuted at the same time as the main game. Specifically, in the cardgame, it is determined whether or not a sum of numbers shown on multipleplayer cards displayed on a liquid crystal display 21 agrees with anumber shown on a dealer card and an award is provided upon agreementtherebetween.

Next, detailed description will be given of a configuration of thegaming machine according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is an externalperspective view showing a gaming machine 14 according to thisembodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming machine 14 includes: theliquid crystal display 21 adapted to display various images; a touchpanel 31; a BET switch 23 for betting 1 credit; a MAXBET switch 24 forbetting a maximum number of credits; a start switch 35 for starting acard game; a credit number display part 25 for displaying the currentnumber of credits; a BET number display part 26 for displaying thenumber of bet credits; and a payout switch 27 for paying out coins.

The gaming machine further includes: a coin insertion slot 29 into whichcoins are inserted; a ticket printer 28 for printing out data on plays,such as the number of coins to be paid out; a bill insertion slot 30into which bills are inserted; a lamp 52; and a speaker 22.

In a lower part of the gaming machine 14, provided is a payout opening32 through which coins are paid out. Moreover, below the payout opening32, provided is a receiving portion 33 for accumulating coins paid out.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of thecontroller 40 and various devices connected to the controller 40provided in the gaming machine 14 according to this embodiment. Thecontroller 40 in the gaming machine 14 shown in FIG. 3 is amicrocomputer, including an interface circuit group 102, an I/O bus 104,a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, a communication interface circuit 49, arandom number generating circuit 48, a speaker driving circuit 46, ahopper driving circuit 45, a display driving circuit 47 and a liquidcrystal driving circuit 44.

The interface circuit group 102 is connected to the I/O bus 104. The I/Obus 104 inputs and outputs a data signal or an address signal to andfrom the CPU 41.

The BET switch 23, the MAXBET switch 24, the payout switch 27 and thestart switch 35 are connected to the interface circuit group 102.Moreover, switching signals outputted from those switches 23, 24, 27 and35 are supplied to the interface circuit group 102, converted intopredetermined signals by the interface circuit group 102 and thentransmitted to the CPU 41 through the I/O bus 104.

In addition, a coin detecting sensor 51 is connected to the interfacecircuit group 102. The coin detecting sensor 51 is a sensor fordetecting coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 29 and is providedin a coin insertion part of the coin insertion slot 29. A detectionsignal outputted by the coin detecting sensor 51 is supplied to theinterface circuit group 102, converted into a predetermined signal bythe interface circuit group 102 and then transmitted to the CPU 41through the I/O bus 104.

The ROM 42 storing a game execution program and the RAM 43 for storingvarious data are connected to the I/O bus 104. The random numbergenerating circuit 48, the communication interface circuit 49, theliquid crystal driving circuit 44, the touch panel 31, the hopperdriving circuit 45, the speaker driving circuit 46 and the displaydriving circuit 47 are further connected to the I/O bus 104.

When the start switch 35 is pressed after the BET switch 23 or theMAXBET switch 24 is pressed, the CPU 41 executes a game by reading thegame execution program stored in the ROM 42. The game execution programis a program for executing a game to be described later by displayingcards on the liquid crystal display 21 through the liquid crystaldriving circuit 44.

In a first embodiment, the game execution program is configured toexecute the following card game as a sub-game of a blackjack game, whilethe blackjack game is executed as a main game. In the sub-game, onedealer card and two player cards are displayed on the liquid crystaldisplay 21, and if a sum of numbers shown on the player cards agreeswith a number shown on the dealer card, an award is provided.

Moreover, in second to fifth embodiments to be described later, the gameexecution program is configured to execute the following card game.Specifically, one dealer card and multiple player cards are displayed onthe liquid crystal display 21, and an award is provided if a sum ofnumbers shown on the player cards agrees with a number shown on thedealer card.

The communication interface circuit 49 is connected to a hall server andthe like, and transmits, to the hall server, data on a history of playsexecuted in the gaming machine 14, and the like. Moreover, thecommunication interface circuit 49 receives various data transmittedfrom the hall server.

The random number generating circuit 48 generates a random number fordetermining whether or not to provide an award in the card game executedon the liquid crystal display 21.

The display driving circuit 47 performs control of displaying the numberof credits in the credit number display part 25 and of displaying thenumber of bet credits in the BET number display part 26. Moreover, thedisplay driving circuit 47 also controls the turning on and off of thelamp 52 (notifying device).

The speaker driving circuit 46 outputs sound data to the speaker 22(notifying device). Specifically, the CPU 41 reads sound data stored inthe ROM 42 and transmits the sound data to the speaker driving circuit46 through the I/O bus 104. Thus, predetermined sound effects areemitted from the speaker 22.

The hopper driving circuit 45 outputs a payout signal to a hopper 101when the payout switch 27 is pressed. Specifically, when a payout signalis inputted by pressing the payout switch 27, the CPU 41 outputs adriving signal to the hopper driving circuit 45 through the I/O bus 104.Thus, the hopper 101 pays out coins equivalent to the number of creditsremaining at this time. The number is stored in a predetermined memoryarea of the RAM 43.

The liquid crystal driving circuit 44 performs display control forexecuting a card game on the liquid crystal display 21. Specifically,the CPU 41 generates an image display command signal corresponding to astate and an outcome of a card game executed on the liquid crystaldisplay 21, and outputs the image display command signal to the liquidcrystal driving circuit 44 through the I/O bus 104. Upon receipt of theimage display command signal outputted by the CPU 41, the liquid crystaldriving circuit 44 generates a driving signal for driving the liquidcrystal display 21 according to the image display command, and outputsthe generated driving signal to the liquid crystal display 21. Thus, apredetermined image is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21.

On a surface of the liquid crystal display 21, the touch panel 31 isprovided. When a player touches the touch panel 31, an input signalcorresponding to a position touched by the player is inputted to theliquid crystal driving circuit 44.

Next, with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5,description will be given of a procedure of a card game executionprocess according to the first embodiment. The card game is executed bythe gaming machine 14.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of the card game executionprocess according to the first embodiment. First, in Step S121, a maingame execution process is performed. In this process, the controller 40executes a blackjack game as a main game, on the display 21. This willbe described in detail later.

In Step S122, it is determined whether or not there is a sub-gameexecution input in the main game execution process. In this process, thecontroller 40 determines whether or not there is a sub-game executioninput in Step S132 shown in FIG. 5 to be described later.

Thereafter, if it is determined that there is the sub-game executioninput, the controller 40 performs a sub-game execution process in StepS123. The sub-game execution process will be described in detail later.

Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, the main gameexecution process in Step S121 shown in FIG. 4 will be described.

First, in Step S131 shown in FIG. 5, the controller 40 executes a stepof receiving a bet made by the player. In this step, the controller 40uses the coin detecting sensor 51 to detect that coins have beeninserted into the coin insertion slot 29 shown in FIG. 2 and also uses abill reading sensor 50 to detect that bills have been inserted into thebill insertion slot 30. Moreover, when the BET switch 23 is pressed, thecontroller 40 detects a bet of credits equivalent to the number of timesthe BET switch is pressed. Furthermore, when the MAXBET switch 24 ispressed, the controller 40 detects a bet of the maximum number ofcredits.

In Step S132, the controller 40 receives a sub-game execution input. Inthis step, the controller 40 displays a sub-game execution selectionimage 205 on the liquid crystal display 21 as shown in FIG. 12.Furthermore, when an area of the sub-game execution selection image istouched by the player through the touch panel 31, the controller 40determines that there is a sub-game execution input and stores asub-game execution command in the RAM 43.

In Step S133, the controller 40 activates a timer set in the RAM 43 tomeasure elapsed time T from the start of reception of a bet, anddetermines whether or not the elapsed time T measured with the timer hasreached preset reception time Tmax (for example, 10 seconds).

In Step S134, if the elapsed time T measured with the timer has reachedthe preset reception time Tmax, the controller 40 finishes the receptionof the bet and the sub-game execution input. Specifically, the receptiontime Tmax for a bet and the sub-game execution input is predetermined,and the player is to perform a BET input and the sub-game executioninput within the reception time Tmax.

In Step S135, when the player presses the start switch 35, thecontroller 40 detects this and executes a blackjack game as a main game.Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13( a), first and second dealer cards D11and D12 and first and second player cards P11 and P12 are displayed facedown on the display 21. Moreover, a Stay image 201 and a Hit image 202are displayed on the display.

The Stay image 201 is an image to be selected when the player does notneed another card in execution of the blackjack game. When the playertouches the Stay image 201, the touch panel 31 detects this and thecontroller 40 recognizes that Stay has been selected. The Hit image 202is an image to be selected when the player needs another card inexecution of the blackjack game. When the player touches the Hit image202, the touch panel 31 detects this and the controller 40 recognizesthat Hit has been selected.

In Step S136, the controller 40 turns over the first dealer card D11 toshow the face, out of the two dealer cards D11 and D12. As a result, acard of “8 of diamonds” is displayed as the face of the first dealercard D11 as shown in FIG. 13( b).

In Step S137, the controller 40 turns over of the first and secondplayer cards P11 and P12 in this order to show the faces out of the twoplayer cards P11 and P12. As a result, a card of “3 of clubs” isdisplayed as the face of the first player card P11 as shown in FIG. 13(b). Thereafter, a card of “5 of hearts” is displayed as the face of thesecond player card P12 as shown in FIG. 14( a).

In Step S138, the controller 40 receives selection of Hit or Stay. IfStay is selected, the process advances to Step S141. If Hit is selected,the process advances to Step S139. In the example shown in FIG. 14( a),since a sum of numbers shown on the two player cards P11 and P12 is “8”,the player is to select Hit by touching the Hit image 202.

In Step S139, the controller 40 displays a third player card P13 face upas shown in FIG. 14( b).

In Step S140, the controller 40 receives selection of Hit or Stay again.The player can repeatedly select Hit unless he/she goes bust.

If the player selects Stay, the controller 40 turns over the face-downsecond dealer card D12 to display the face, in Step S141. As a result, acard of “Jack of spades” is displayed as the face of the second dealercard D12 as shown in FIG. 15( a).

In Step S142, the controller 40 performs a step of determining whetherthe player wins or loses. In this step, the controller 40 determines awinner between the dealer and the player by comparing a sum of thenumbers shown on the player cards P11, P12 and P13 with a sum of thenumbers shown on the dealer cards D11 and D12. In the example shown inFIG. 15( a), since the sum of the numbers shown on the player cards is“21” and the sum of the numbers shown on the dealer cards is “18”, theplayer wins the game.

In Step S143, if the player wins the game, an award is provided.Specifically, as shown in FIG. 15( b), the controller 40 displays animage “YOU WIN!!” on the display 21 and pays out 100 coins.

Next, with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 1, description willbe given of the sub-game execution process in Step S123 shown in FIG. 4.When the sub-game is selected and thereby the sub-game execution commandis stored in the RAM 43 in Step S132 shown in FIG. 5, the controller 40executes the sub-game concurrently with the blackjack game describedabove.

In Step S151 shown in FIG. 1, the controller 40 displays a first dealercard D21 face up on the display 21. As a result, a card of “8 ofdiamonds” is displayed as the face of the first dealer card D21 on thedisplay 21 as shown in FIG. 13( b).

In Step S152, the controller 40 displays a first player card P21 face upon the display 21. As a result, a card of “3 of clubs” is displayed asthe face of the first player card P21 on the display 21 as shown in FIG.13( b).

In Step S153, the controller 40 displays a second player card P22 faceup on the display 21. As a result, a card of “5 of hearts” is displayedas the face of the second player card P22 on the display 21 as shown inFIG. 14( a).

In Step S154, the controller 40 adds up the numbers shown on the firstand second player cards P21 and P22 displayed on the display 21 as shownin FIG. 14( a) and compares the sum of the numbers with the number shownon the first dealer card D21. Thereafter, if the sum of the numbersshown on the first and second player cards P21 and P22 agrees with thenumber shown on the first dealer card D21, the controller 40 provides anaward in Step S155.

In the example shown in FIG. 14( a), since the sum of the numbers shownon the first and second player cards P21 and P22 agrees with the numbershown on the first dealer card D21, the award is provided.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 14( b), the controller 40 displays animage “YOU WIN!!” on the display 21 and notifies the player that 200coins are to be paid out.

As described above, in the gaming machine 14 according to the firstembodiment, selection of whether or not to execute the sub-game isreceived during execution of the blackjack game that is the main game.In the case where the sub-game is executed, the award is provided whenthe sum of the numbers shown on the first and second player cards P21and P22 agrees with the number shown on the first dealer card D21.Therefore, it is possible to provide a gaming machine havingentertainment properties to increase expectations for an outcome of thesub-game.

Next, with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, descriptionwill be given of a procedure of a card game execution process executedby the gaming machine 14 according to the second embodiment of thepresent invention. First, in Step S11 shown in FIG. 6, the controller 40executes a step of receiving a bet made by the player. In this step, thecontroller 40 uses the coin detecting sensor 51 to detect that coinshave been inserted into the coin insertion slot 29 shown in FIG. 2 andalso uses the bill reading sensor 50 to detect that bills have beeninserted into the bill insertion slot 30. Moreover, when the BET switch23 is pressed, the controller 40 detects a bet of credits equivalent tothe number of times the BET switch is pressed. Furthermore, when theMAXBET switch 24 is pressed, the controller 40 detects a bet of themaximum number of credits.

In Step S12, the controller 40 activates the timer set in the RAM 43 tomeasure elapsed time T from the start of reception of a bet. Thereafter,in Step S13, the controller 40 determines whether or not the elapsedtime T measured with the timer has reached preset reception time Tmax(for example, 10 seconds).

In Step S14, if the elapsed time T measured with the timer has reachedthe preset reception time Tmax, the controller 40 finishes the receptionof the bet. Specifically, the reception time Tmax for a bet ispredetermined, and the player is to perform a BET input within thereception time Tmax.

In Step S15, when the player presses the start switch 35, the controller40 detects this and displays one dealer card D1 and three player cardsP1 to P3 face down on the liquid crystal display 21 as shown in FIG. 16(a). The dealer card D has a number on its face and each of the playercards P1 to P3 has a positive number or a negative number on its face.

In Step S16, a face display process is executed for each of the cards D1and P1 to P3 displayed on the liquid crystal display 21. The facedisplay process will be described below with reference to the flowchartshown in FIG. 7.

In Step S31 shown in FIG. 7, the controller 40 turns over the dealercard D1 to show the face, as shown in FIG. 16( b). As a result, the faceof the dealer card D1, having a number “200”, for example, is displayedon the liquid crystal display 21.

Next, in Step S32, the controller 40 turns over the player card P1 onthe left to show the face among the three player cards P1 to P3. As aresult, the face of the player card P1, having a number “100”, forexample, is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21 as shown in FIG.16( c).

In Step S33, the controller 40 turns over the player card P2 in themiddle to show the face among the three player cards P1 to P3. As aresult, the face of the player card P2, having a number “300”, forexample, is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21 as shown in FIG.16( d).

In Step S34, the controller 40 turns over the player card P3 on theright to show the face among the three player cards P1 to P3. As aresult, the face of the player card P3, having a number “−200”, forexample, is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21 as shown in FIG.16( e).

In Step S17 shown in FIG. 6, the controller 40 performs a step of addingup the numbers shown on the faces of the three player cards P1 to P3.Thereafter, in Step S18, the controller 40 determines whether or not asum of the numbers shown on the faces of the three player cards P1 to P3agrees with the number shown on the dealer card D1. In the example shownin FIG. 16( e), the sum of the numbers shown on the three player cardsP1 to P3 is “200”, which agrees with the number “200” shown on thedealer card D1.

Subsequently, in Step S19, the controller 40 executes a step ofproviding an award if the sum of the numbers shown on the player cardsagrees with the number shown on the dealer card in Step S18. In theexample shown in FIG. 16( e), the sum of the numbers shown on the threeplayer cards P1 to P3 and the number shown on the dealer card D1 areboth “200” and agree with each other. Thus, the award is provided inStep S19. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16( f), characters “200,Congratulations!!” are displayed on the liquid crystal display 21 tonotify the player that an award of 200 coins is to be provided.

As described above, in the card game executed in the gaming machine 14according to the second embodiment, each of the three player cards P1 toP3 has any one of the positive number and the negative number on itsface. Moreover, in the case where the sum of the numbers shown on thefaces of the player cards P1 to P3 agrees with the number shown on thedealer card D1, an award of coins equivalent to the number shown on thedealer card D1 is provided.

Thus, the sum of the numbers does not always increase along with theaddition of numbers of the player cards P1 to P3 but may decrease whenany of the player cards has a negative number on its face. Consequently,it is possible to provide a gaming machine having entertainmentproperties to increase expectations for an outcome of the game.

In the gaming machine according to the second embodiment describedabove, the description was given by taking, as an example, the casewhere the numbers shown on the player cards are displayed in aleft-to-right order as shown in FIGS. 16( a) to 16(f). However, thepresent invention is not limited to the above case. For example, it isalso possible to display the numbers shown on the faces of the threeplayer cards P1 to P3 in a random order.

Next, a gaming machine according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention will be described. The gaming machine according to the thirdembodiment is different from that described in the second embodimentonly in the face display process executed in Step S16 shown in FIG. 6.With reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 8, a face display processaccording to the third embodiment will be described below.

In Step S51 shown in FIG. 8, starting from a state where the dealer cardD1 and three player cards P1 to P3 are displayed face down as shown inFIG. 17( a), the controller 40 turns over one dealer card D1 to show theface as shown in FIG. 17( b). As a result, the face of the dealer cardD1, having a number “500”, for example, is displayed on the liquidcrystal display 21.

Next, in Step S52, the player card P1 on the left is turned over to showthe face as a first player card among the three player cards P1 to P3.As a result, the face of the player card P1, having a number “300”, forexample, is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21 as shown in FIG.17( c).

In Step S53, the number of the first player card P1 is displayed on theliquid crystal display 21. As a result, characters “300 in total!!” aredisplayed as shown in FIG. 17( c).

In Step S54, the player card P2 in the middle is turned over to show theface as a second player card among the three player cards P1 to P3. As aresult, the face of the player card P2, having a number “−100”, forexample, is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21 as shown in FIG.17( d).

In Step S55, a sum of the numbers shown on the first and second playercards P1 and P2 is displayed on the liquid crystal display 21. As aresult, characters “200 in total!!” are displayed as shown in FIG. 17(d).

Next, in Step S56, the controller 40 compares the sum of the numbersshown on the first and second player cards P1 and P2 (hereinafter thesum being referred to as “B”) with the number shown on the dealer cardD1 (the number being hereinafter referred to as “A”), and determineswhether or not the sum “B” is equal to or smaller than the number “A”.In other words, the controller 40 determines whether or not “B≦A” issatisfied.

If it is determined that “B≦A” is satisfied, the controller 40determines in Step S57 whether or not a number shown on a third playercard, that is the player card P3 on the right, is zero or a positivenumber. If it is determined that the number shown on the player card P3on the right is zero or a positive number, Steps S58 and S59 areperformed.

In Step S58, the controller 40 executes a step of outputting a firstsound (for example, a chime sound) from the speaker 22. In Step S59, thecontroller 40 executes a step of turning on the lamp 52 in red.

If it is determined in Step S57 that the number shown on the player cardP3 on the right is not zero or a positive number, in other words, if thenumber shown on the player card P3 is a negative number, Steps S61 andS62 are performed.

In Step S61, the controller 40 executes a step of outputting a secondsound (for example, a buzzer sound) from the speaker 22. In Step S62,the controller 40 executes a step of turning on the lamp 52 in blue.

On the other hand, if it is determined in Step S56 that “B>A” issatisfied, in other words, if it is determined that the sum “B” of thenumbers shown on the first and second player cards P1 and P2 is greaterthan the number “A” shown on the dealer card D1, the controller 40determines in Step S60 whether or not the number shown on the thirdplayer card, that is the player card P3 on the right, is a negativenumber. If it is determined that the number shown on the player card P3on the right is a negative number, Steps S58 and S59 described above areperformed. More specifically, the controller 40 outputs the first soundfrom the speaker 22 and turns on the lamp 52 in red.

If it is determined in Step S60 that the number shown on the player cardP3 on the right is not a negative number, in other words, if the numbershown on the player card P3 is zero or a positive number, Steps S61 andS62 described above are performed. More specifically, the controller 40outputs the second sound from the speaker 22 and turns on the lamp 52 inblue.

Thereafter, in Step S63, characters “300 more to win!!” are displayed onthe liquid crystal display 21 and the player card P3 on the right isturned over to show the face as the third player card. As a result, theface of the player card P3, having a number “300”, for example, isdisplayed on the liquid crystal display 21 as shown in FIG. 17( e).

Subsequently, the controller 40 performs Steps S17 to S19 shown in FIG.6. More specifically, in Step S17, the controller 40 adds up the numbersshown on the faces of the three player cards P1 to P3. Thereafter, inStep S18, the controller 40 determines whether or not a sum of thenumbers shown on the faces of the three player cards P1 to P3 agreeswith the number shown on the dealer card.

In the example shown in FIG. 17( e), a sum of the numbers shown on thethree player cards P1 to P3 is “500”, which agrees with the number “500”shown on the dealer card D1.

Subsequently, in Step S19, the controller 40 executes a step ofproviding an award if the sum of the numbers shown on the player cardsagrees with the number shown on the dealer card in Step S18. In theexample shown in FIG. 17( e), the sum of the numbers shown on the threeplayer cards P1 to P3 agrees with the number shown on the dealer cardD1. Thus, the award is provided in Step S19. Specifically, as shown inFIG. 17( f), the controller 40 displays characters “500,Congratulations!!” on the liquid crystal display 21 to notify the playerthat an award of 500 coins is to be provided.

As described above, in the card game executed in the gaming machine 14according to the third embodiment, each of the three player cards P1 toP3 has a positive number or a negative number on its face. Moreover, inthe case where the sum of the numbers shown on the faces of the playercards P1 to P3 agrees with the number shown on the dealer card D1, anaward of coins equivalent to the number shown on the dealer card D1 isprovided.

Moreover, the sound to be outputted from the speaker 22 and the color ofthe lamp 52 are changed in accordance with whether the number shown onthe face of the third player card P3 is any one of zero and a positivenumber or a negative number, before the number is displayed. In the casewhere “B≦A” is satisfied when comparing the sum “B” of the numbers shownon the two player cards P1 and P2 out of the three player cards P1 to P3with the number “A” shown on the dealer card D1, the sum of the numbersshown on the three player cards P1 to P3 may agree with the number shownon the dealer card D1 if the number shown on the third player card P3 iszero or a positive number. Thus, the controller 40 allows the player tohave expectations by outputting the first sound such as a chime soundand turning on the lamp 52 in red before turning over the third playercard P3 to show the face.

Similarly, suppose the case where “B>A” is satisfied when comparing thesum “B” of the numbers shown on the two player cards P1 and P2 out ofthe three player cards P1 to P3 with the number “A” shown on the dealercard D1. In this case, the sum of the numbers shown on the three playercards P1 to P3 may agree with the number shown on the dealer card D1 ifthe number shown on the third player card P3 is a negative number. Thus,the controller 40 allows the player to have expectations by outputtingthe first sound such as a chime sound and turning on the lamp 52 in red,before turning over the third player card P3 to show the face.

On the other hand, suppose the case where “B≦A” is satisfied whencomparing the sum “B” of the numbers shown on the two player cards P1and P2 out of the three player cards P1 to P3 with the number “A” shownon the dealer card D1. In this case, the sum of the numbers shown on thethree player cards P1 to P3 has no chance of agreeing with the numbershown on the dealer card D1 if the number shown on the third player cardP3 is a negative number. Thus, the controller 40 notifies the playerthat he/she is less likely to win an award by outputting the secondsound such as a buzzer sound and turning on the lamp 52 in blue, beforeturning over the third player card P3 to show the face.

Similarly, suppose the case where “B>A” is satisfied when comparing thesum “B” of the numbers shown on the two player cards P1 and P2 out ofthe three player cards P1 to P3 with the number “A” shown on the dealercard D1. In this case, the sum of the numbers shown on the three playercards P1 to P3 has no chance of agreeing with the number shown on thedealer card D1 if the number shown on the third player card P3 is zeroor a positive number. Thus, the controller 40 notifies the player thathe/she is less likely to win an award by outputting the second soundsuch as a buzzer sound and turning on the lamp 52 in blue, beforeturning over the third player card P3 to show the face.

As described above, the controller 40 can increase expectations for anoutcome of the game by changing the sound to be outputted from thespeaker 22 and the color of the lamp 52 according to the possibility ofproviding an award. Thus, a gaming machine having entertainmentproperties can be provided.

Next, a gaming machine according to the fourth embodiment of the presentinvention will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedureof a card game executed in the gaming machine 14 according to the fourthembodiment.

First, in Step S71 shown in FIG. 9, the controller 40 executes a step ofreceiving a bet made by the player. In this step, the controller 40 usesthe coin detecting sensor 51 to detect that coins have been insertedinto the coin insertion slot 29 shown in FIG. 2 and also uses the billreading sensor 50 to detect that bills have been inserted into the billinsertion slot 30. Moreover, when the BET switch 23 is pressed, thecontroller 40 detects a bet of credits equivalent to the number of timesthe BET switch is pressed. Furthermore, when the MAXBET switch 24 ispressed, the controller 40 detects a bet of the maximum number ofcredits.

In Step S72, the controller 40 activates the timer set in the RAM 43 tomeasure elapsed time T from the start of reception of a bet. Thereafter,in Step S73, the controller 40 determines whether or not the elapsedtime T measured with the timer has reached preset reception time Tmax(for example, 10 seconds).

In Step S74, if the elapsed time T measured with the timer has reachedthe preset reception time Tmax, the controller 40 finishes the receptionof the bet. Specifically, the reception time Tmax for a bet ispreviously determined, and the player performs a BET input within thereception time Tmax.

In Step S75, when the player presses the start switch 35, the controller40 detects this and displays one dealer card D1 and five player cards P1to P5 face down on the liquid crystal display 21 as shown in FIG. 18(a). The dealer card D1 has a number on its face and each of the playercards P1 to P5 has a positive number or a negative number on its face.

In Step S76, a face display process is executed for each of the cards D1and P1 to P5 displayed on the liquid crystal display 21. The facedisplay process will be described below with reference to a flowchartshown in FIG. 10.

In Step S91 shown in FIG. 10, the controller 40 turns over the dealercard D1 to show the face, as shown in FIG. 18( b). As a result, the faceof the dealer card D1 having a number “400”, for example, is displayedon the liquid crystal display 21. Furthermore, the controller 40displays characters “Pick three cards” on the liquid crystal display 21to notify that three cards can be selected from the five player cards P1to P5.

Next, in Step S92, the controller 40 turns over the first selectedplayer card to show the face among the five player cards P1 to P5. Forexample, when the player touches an area on the liquid crystal display21 where the fourth player card P4 from the left among the five playercards P1 to P5 is displayed, the touch panel 31 detects this. As aresult, the controller 40 displays the face the player card P4, having anumber “200”, for example, on the liquid crystal display 21 as shown inFIG. 18( c). Moreover, as shown in FIG. 18( c), the controller 40displays characters “Pick two more cards” on the liquid crystal display21 to notify the player that he/she can select two more cards out of thefour player cards P1, P2, P3 and P5 displayed face down.

In Step S93, the controller 40 turns over the second selected playercard to show the face out of the face-down four player cards P1, P2, P3and P5. For example, when the player touches an area on the liquidcrystal display 21 where the second player card P2 from the left amongthe four player cards P1, P2, P3 and P5 is displayed, the touch panel 31detects this. As a result, the controller 40 displays the face of theplayer card P2, having a number “300”, for example, on the liquidcrystal display 21 as shown in FIG. 18( d). Moreover, as shown in FIG.18( d), the controller 40 displays characters “Pick one more card” onthe liquid crystal display 21 to notify the player that he/she canselect one more card out of the three player cards P1, P3 and P5displayed face down.

In Step S94, the controller 40 turns over the third selected player cardto show the face out of the three player cards P1, P3 and P5 displayedface down. For example, when the player touches an area on the liquidcrystal display 21 where the rightmost player card P5 among the threeplayer cards P1, P3 and P5 is displayed, the touch panel 31 detectsthis. As a result, the controller 40 displays the face of the playercard P5, having a number “−100”, for example, on the liquid crystaldisplay 21 as shown in FIG. 18( e). Thus, the three player cards areturned over to show the faces out of the five face-down player cards P1to P5.

Thereafter, in Step S95, numbers shown on faces of the two player cardsP1 and P3 which did not get selected are displayed.

Subsequently, in Step S77 shown in FIG. 9, the controller 40 performs astep of adding up the numbers shown on the faces of the selected threeplayer cards P2, P4 and P5. Thereafter, in Step S78, the controller 40determines whether or not a sum of the numbers shown on the faces of theselected three player cards P2, P4 and P5 agrees with the number shownon the dealer card D1. In the example shown in FIG. 18( e), a sum of thenumbers shown on the selected three player cards P2, P4 and P5 is “400”,which agrees with the number “400” shown on the dealer card D1.

Thereafter, in Step S79, the controller 40 executes a step of providingan award if the sum of the numbers shown on the player cards agrees withthe number shown on the dealer card in Step S78. In the example shown inFIG. 18( e), the sum of the numbers shown on the three player cards P2,P4 and P5 and the number shown on the dealer card D1 are both “400” andagree with each other. Thus, the award is provided in Step S79.Specifically, as shown in FIG. 18( f), characters “400,Congratulations!!” are displayed on the liquid crystal display 21 tonotify the player that an award of 400 coins is to be provided.

As described above, in the card game executed in the gaming machine 14according to the fourth embodiment, each of the five player cards P1 toP5 has either a positive number or a negative number on its face.Moreover, in the case where the sum of the numbers shown on the faces ofthree player cards selected from the five player cards P1 to P5 agreeswith the number shown on the dealer card D1, an award of coinsequivalent to the number shown on the dealer card D1 is provided.

Thus, the sum of the numbers does not always increase along with theaddition of numbers of the selected three player cards but may decreasewhen any of the selected player cards has a negative number on its face.Consequently, it is possible to provide a gaming machine havingentertainment properties to increase expectations for an outcome of thegame.

Note that, in the gaming machine according to the fourth embodimentdescribed above, the description was given of the example where threeplayer cards are selected from the five player cards P1 to P5 as shownin FIGS. 18( a) to 18(f). Meanwhile, the number of the player cards tobe selected can also be set to other than three.

Next, a gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment of the presentinvention will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedureof a card game executed in the gaming machine 14 according to the fifthembodiment. In the gaming machine according to the fifth embodiment, aprimary game such as a slot game, a roulette game and a horse racinggame is executed, and a card game is executed as a secondary game whenan award is provided in the primary game. This will be described indetail below.

In Step S101 shown in FIG. 11, the controller 40 executes a primarygame. As described above, examples of the primary game include a slotgame, a roulette game, a horse racing game and the like. In thisembodiment, any kind of game can be executed as the primary game.

In Step S102, the controller 40 determines whether or not an outcome ofthe primary game leads to an award. For example, when the primary gameis a slot game, an award is provided if the same numbers “7-7-7” arelined up in a predetermined area. When the primary game is a roulettegame, an award is provided if a ball enters a pocket having a number onwhich a bet is made. When the primary game is a horse racing game, anaward is provided if a horse on which a bet is made wins.

If the outcome of the primary game leads to an award, the controller 40executes a step of receiving a bet made by the player in Step S103. Inthis step, the controller 40 uses the coin detecting sensor 51 to detectthat coins have been inserted into the coin insertion slot 29 shown inFIG. 2 and also uses the bill reading sensor 50 to detect that billshave been inserted into the bill insertion slot 30. Moreover, when theBET switch 23 is pressed, the controller 40 detects a bet of creditsequivalent to the number of times the BET switch is pressed.Furthermore, when the MAXBET switch 24 is pressed, the controller 40detects a bet of the maximum number of credits.

In Step S104, the controller 40 activates the timer set in the RAM 43 tomeasure elapsed time T from the start of reception of a bet. Thereafter,in Step S105, the controller 40 determines whether or not the elapsedtime T measured with the timer has reached preset reception time Tmax(for example, 10 seconds).

In Step S106, if the elapsed time T measured with the timer has reachedthe preset reception time Tmax, the controller 40 finishes the receptionof the bet. Specifically, the reception time Tmax for a bet ispredetermined, and the player is to perform a BET input within thereception time Tmax.

In Step S107, when the player presses the start switch 35, thecontroller 40 detects this and displays one dealer card D1 and threeplayer cards P1 to P3 face down on the liquid crystal display 21 asshown in FIG. 16( a). The dealer card D1 has a number on its face andeach of the player cards P1 to P3 has a positive number or a negativenumber on its face.

In Step S108, a face display process is executed for each of the cardsD1 and P1 to P3 displayed on the liquid crystal display 21. Since theface display process is the same as that having been described withreference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, description thereof will beomitted.

In Step S109 shown in FIG. 11, the controller 40 performs a step ofadding up the numbers shown on the faces of the three player cards P1 toP3. Thereafter, in Step S110, the controller 40 determines whether ornot a sum of the numbers shown on the faces of the three player cards P1to P3 agrees with the number shown on the dealer card. In the exampleshown in FIG. 16( e), a sum of the numbers shown on the three playercards P1 to P3 is “200”, which agrees with the number “200” shown on thedealer card D1.

Subsequently, in Step S111, the controller 40 executes a step ofproviding an award if the sum of the numbers shown on the player cardsagrees with the number shown on the dealer card in Step S110. In theexample shown in FIG. 16( e), the sum of the numbers shown on the threeplayer cards P1 to P3 and the number shown on the dealer card D1 areboth “200” and agree with each other. Thus, the award is provided inStep S111. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16( f), the characters “200,Congratulations!!” are displayed on the liquid crystal display 21 tonotify the player that an award of 200 coins is to be provided.

As described above, in the gaming machine 14 according to the fifthembodiment, the controller 40 first executes a primary game, and when anaward is provided in the primary game, executes a card game as asecondary game of the primary game. In the card game to be executed asthe secondary game, each of the three player cards P1 to P3 has apositive number or a negative number on its face. Moreover, in the casewhere the sum of the numbers shown on the faces of the player cards P1to P3 agrees with the number shown on the dealer card D1, an award ofcoins equivalent to the number shown on the dealer card D1 is provided.

Thus, the sum of the numbers does not always increase along with theaddition of the numbers of the player cards P1 to P3 but may decreasewhen any of the player cards has a negative number on its face.Consequently, it is possible to provide a gaming machine havingentertainment properties to increase expectations for an outcome of thegame.

Note that, in the secondary game executed in the gaming machineaccording to the fifth embodiment described above, the description wasgiven by taking, as an example, the case where the numbers shown on theplayer cards are displayed in a left-to-right order as shown in FIGS.16( a) to 16(f). However, the present invention is not limited to theabove case. For example, it is also possible to display the numbersshown on the faces of the three player cards P1 to P3 in a random order.

Although the embodiments of the gaming machine according to the presentinvention have been described above, the embodiments are describedmerely as concrete examples and the present invention is notparticularly limited thereto. The concrete configuration of each of themeans and the like can be changed in design according to the necessity.Moreover, the effects described in the embodiments of the presentinvention are merely listed as preferred effects achieved by the presentinvention. The effects of the present invention are not limited to thosedescribed in the embodiments of the present invention.

1. A gaming machine comprising: a display adapted to display a pluralityof cards; and a controller configured to (a) display, on the display,one dealer card having a number, (b) display a plurality of player cardsface down on the display, each of the player cards having any one of apositive number and a negative number, (c) display each of the face-downplayer cards face up on the display, and (d) generate an awardcorresponding to the number of the dealer card upon agreement between asum of the numbers of the plurality of player cards and the number ofthe dealer card.
 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein thecontroller is configured to display the face-down player cards face upone by one, and display a sum of the numbers of the face-up player cardson the display every time one of the face-down player cards is displayedface up.
 3. The gaming machine according to claim 1, further comprisinga notifying device configured to output at least one of a sound signaland an optical signal before the last face-down player card among theplurality of player cards is displayed face up, the sound signal andoptical signal each indicating whether the number of the last face-downplayer card is a positive number or a negative number.
 4. A gamingmachine comprising: a display adapted to display a plurality of cards;and a controller configured to (a) display, on the display, one dealercard having a number when an award is provided in a primary game, (b)display a plurality of player cards face down on the display, each ofthe player cards having any one of a positive number and a negativenumber, (c) display each of the face-down player cards face up on thedisplay, and (d) generate an award corresponding to the number of thedealer card upon agreement between a sum of the numbers of the pluralityof player cards and the number of the dealer card.
 5. The gaming machineaccording to claim 4, wherein the controller is configured to displaythe face-down player cards face up one by one, and display a sum of thenumbers of the face-up player cards on the display every time one of theface-down player cards is displayed face up.
 6. The gaming machineaccording to claim 4, further comprising a notifying device configuredto output at least one of a sound signal and an optical signal beforethe last face-down player card among the plurality of player cards isdisplayed face up, the sound signal and optical signal each indicatingwhether the number of the last face-down player card is a positivenumber or a negative number.
 7. A gaming machine comprising: a displayadapted to display a plurality of cards; an input device configured toreceive an input from a player; and a controller configured to (a)display, on the display, one dealer card having a number, (b) displaythree or more player cards face down on the display, each of the playercards having any one of a positive number and a negative number, (c)display two or more player cards face up on the display, the two or moreplayer cards being selected by the input from the three or more playercards displayed face down, and (d) generate an award corresponding tothe number of the dealer card upon agreement between a sum of thenumbers of the face-up player cards and the number of the dealer card.8. The gaming machine according to claim 7, wherein the controller isconfigured to display the face-down player cards face up one by one anddisplay a sum of the numbers of the face-up player cards on the displayevery time one of the face-down player cards is displayed face up. 9.The gaming machine according to claim 7, further comprising: a notifyingdevice configured to output at least one of a sound signal and anoptical signal before the last face-down player card among the pluralityof player cards is displayed face up, the sound signal and opticalsignal each indicating whether the number of the last face-down playercard is a positive number or a negative number.
 10. A gaming machinecomprising. a display adapted to display a plurality of cards; and acontroller configured to (a) display, on the display, one dealer cardhaving a number when a sub-game is selected during an execution of amain game, (b) display a plurality of player cards face down on thedisplay, each of the player cards having a number, (c) display each ofthe face-down player cards face up on the display, and (d) generate anaward corresponding to the number of the dealer card upon agreementbetween a sum of the numbers of the plurality of player cards and thenumber of the dealer card.
 11. A method of controlling a gaming machine,comprising: displaying, by the controller, one dealer card having anumber, on the display; displaying, by the controller, a plurality ofplayer cards face down on the display, each of the player cards havingany one of a positive number and a negative number; displaying, by thecontroller, each of the face-down player cards face up on the displayone by one; and generating, by the controller, an award corresponding tothe number of the dealer card upon agreement between a sum of thenumbers of the plurality of player cards and the number of the dealercard.
 12. The method of controlling a gaming machine, according to claim11, further comprising: displaying, by the controller, the face-downplayer cards face up one by one, and displaying, by the controller, asum of the numbers of the face-up player cards on the display every timeone of the face-down player cards is displayed face up.
 13. The methodof controlling a gaming machine, according to claim 11, furthercomprising outputting at least one of a sound signal and an opticalsignal before displaying the last face-down player card among theplurality of player cards face up, the sound signal and the opticalsignal each indicating whether the number of the last face-down playercard is a positive number or a negative number.